May Day: NTT Governor Calls for Collaboration in Workforce Transformation
International Labour Day is not only a moment to fight for workers’ rights but also a starting point for workers to dream and prepare themselves to become entrepreneurs.
Kupang (ANTARA) - The Governor of East Nusa Tenggara (NTT), Melki Laka Lena, emphasised the importance of collaboration between the government, the business world, and workers in promoting transformation in the labour sector in the region during International Labour Day or May Day.
“Businesses cannot operate without workers, and workers cannot work without the sustainability of businesses. Therefore, a meeting point and productive compromise are needed so that both parties can develop together,” he said in Kupang on Friday.
This was conveyed by the NTT Governor when opening an interactive dialogue to commemorate International Labour Day 2026 at the provincial level in the El Tari Hall, Kupang.
The dialogue, themed “Building Collaboration and Synergy between Government, Business World, and Trade Unions/Workers in Protecting and Creating Contributory Workers and Building Towards a Prosperous NTT,” serves as a forum to strengthen harmonious industrial relations in NTT.
In addition, he assessed that the regional trade balance deficit indicates the need to accelerate downstream processing and industrialisation to increase the added value of local products.
To address these challenges, he said, the NTT Provincial Government is promoting workforce transformation through capacity enhancement, training, and competency certification.
In the migrant worker sector, they are introducing a special People’s Business Credit (KUR) programme to prevent loan sharking practices and exploitation. Furthermore, plans are underway to open direct placement routes for workers from Kupang abroad to improve supervision and protection.
The Governor also encouraged the emergence of new entrepreneurs from among workers through KUR financing support and mentoring for Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (UMKM).
“May Day is not only a moment to fight for workers’ rights, but also a starting point for workers to dream and prepare themselves to become entrepreneurs,” he stated.